Description

Leading teams is an essential skill every manager must possess. To do it effectively, you must know how to instill commitment in your team, improve communication among group members, and diagnose common problems that can derail a team. In this book, you'll find valuable advice and proven strategies for managing teams, including how to: * Diagnose common problems that can impede team progress * Take corrective measures to remove team problems and improve performance * Resolve team conflicts * Promote interdependence within teamsshow more

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The Pocket Mentor series offers immediate solutions to the challenges managers face on the job every day. Each book in the series is packed with handy tools, self-tests, and real-life examples to help you identify strengths and weaknesses and hone critical skills. Whether you're at your desk, in a meeting, or on the road, these portable guides enable you to tackle the daily demands of your work with greater speed, savvy, and effectiveness.show more

Table of contents

Managing Teams: The Basics Keeping Your Team on Track An overview of the challenges team leaders must surmount. Evaluating the team's process Understanding common obstacles Obstacle 1: Lack of Team Identity A closer look at a vital ingredient in team success. Appreciating why team identity is crucial Understanding causes of weak team identity Strengthening team identity Obstacle 2: Ineffective Decision Making Tips for combating an all-too-common problem. Agreeing on a decision-making approach Sharpening decision-making skills Obstacle 3: Poor Communication Ideas for examining one of your processes. Understanding the costs of poor communication Enhancing team members' communication skills Obstacle 4: Destructive Conflict Suggestions for turning unproductive disagreements into productive ones. Defining the root cause of the conflict Negotiating a resolution Encouraging active listening Reminding team members to forgive Obstacle 5: Low Participation Advice for ensuring that everyone takes part in the team. Detecting low participation Confirming expectations about participation Enabling members to meet expectations Asking for explanations Assessing member/task fit Obstacle 6: Absence of Creativity Recommendations for catalyzing creativity. Promoting diversity of thinking styles and technical skills Balancing paradoxical characteristics Moving from divergent to convergent thinking Obstacle 7: "Groupthink" Ideas for preventing this dangerous mindset. Understanding the dangers of groupthink Recognizing the symptoms Combating groupthink Obstacle 8: Ineffective Team Leadership Strategies for tackling this troubling condition. Recognizing the signs of poor leadership Identifying the root causes Balancing bossing with empowering Taking action when you're not the leader Tips and Toolsshow more